About
NG KOK SONG
A true son of Singapore, Ng Kok Song came from humble beginnings. He grew up in an attap house in Kangkar (where Sengkang is today) as the second of 11 children. His father was a fish auctioneer while his mother was a housewife. To support his family, he helped his father sort fish at the local market, and tended the family's chickens.
Humble
BEGINNINGS
Amid all the struggles, Ng Kok Song persevered in his education. He won a scholarship to study abroad, but was unable to go as he had to support his family. Fortunately, he got a Public Service Commission Scholarship to study physics at the National University of Singapore and earned income for the family by giving tuition.
PIONEER
Ng Kok Song began his 45-year career in public service as an administrative officer in the Ministry of Finance in 1970, and later spent 15 years at the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) from 1971 to 1986.
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In 1986, Ng Kok Song joined the Government of Singapore Investment Corporation (GIC) and rose through the ranks to become GIC's group chief investment officer in 2007. During his time there, he successfully steered GIC through multiple financial crises, including the 1987 market decline, the 1997 Asian financial crisis, the 2001 dot-com bust, and the 2008 global financial crisis. His prudent and strategic investment approach solidified his reputation as an exceptional leader in global financial circles.
In recognition of his outstanding contributions to Singapore, the Singapore Government also awarded him the Public Administration Medal (Gold) in 1996, and the prestigious Meritorious Service Medal in 2012.
After retiring from GIC in 2013, Ng Kok Song founded Avanda Investment Management, a rapidly growing asset management company in Singapore. His entrepreneurial spirit, combined with experience in investing Singapore's reserves, has made him a highly sought-after advisor in the financial world.
Ng Kok Song has been conferred honours internationally. The French government conferred on him the awards Chevalier de la Légion d’Honneur in 2003 and Officier de l’Ordre national du Mérite in 2011, for his contributions as a member of the Agence France Trésor's strategic committee from 2001-2014.
